How to Tame a Toothache With Herbs

When your mouth hurts, life can be very unpleasant. Although it is important to seek prompt dental care for any toothache or other pain in your mouth, herbs can provide temporary relief—until you can get into the dentist’s chair. Toothaches can be caused by a bacterial infection, an injury to a tooth or gum, or poor oral hygiene that leads to tooth or gum disease. Several simple herbal helpers can relieve your pain, and most of them are readily available and very easy to use. Depending on your ability to locate the listed herbs, you can use one or more of the remedies discussed here.

Things You'll Need

• Oil of clove or whole cloves
• Allspice berries
• Spilanthes plant (Spilanthes acmella)
• Echinacea tincture
• Cold or hot compresses
• Yarrow

Instructions

1. Chew either one whole clove or one allspice berry. Both contain eugenol, which gives them their characteristic flavor and allows them to quickly (albeit temporarily) relieve the pain caused by tooth or gum problems. As an alternative, you can apply essential oil of clove to the gum area where you are experiencing pain.

2. Spilanthes is so effective in relieving toothaches that it is called the “toothache plant.” It’s easy to grow as an annual in all climates, and great for helping family members with tooth pain. Wait until the plant forms its knob-like little flowers, then pinch off a piece of the flower and apply it to the gum area where the pain is occurring. This will provide a temporary numbing effect.

3. Echinacea tincture also helps to numb an area to which it is applied. Purchase it or make your own tincture by steeping echinacea root in alcohol, and then apply several drops to the problem area.

4. Hot or cold compresses can also help. You can use a blue ice pack wrapped in a towel on the outside of your jaw, or soak a towel in hot water, and when it’s cool enough to touch, apply that to your jaw. Some tooth infections respond to heat and some to cold, so you might need to experiment to see which is most effective at relieving your pain.

5. If you live in an area where yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows, you can chew on the feathery leaves and then put the material against your gum. It acts quickly and provides good, temporary relief.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to take your vitamins, brush and floss daily, and get regular dental checkups and cleanings. It’s best to prevent problems before they occur by taking good care of your teeth and mouth.

• Some herbs help to support the body’s immune system and can be useful when you are fighting off an infection of any kind. Try astragalus, ligustrum berries and certain medicinal mushrooms. Other herbs, such as ginseng, help to support the adrenal glands and can be helpful in preventing tooth problems.

• This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The use of herbal products should not be taken lightly. Always consult a qualified health-care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking any prescribed medications.

• A serious tooth infection can kill you if left untreated, so always seek prompt medical assistance whenever you begin to experience tooth or mouth pain.

• If you eat a lot of highly refined foods or junk food, and if you love sugar and eat way too much of it, your chances of getting toothaches will increase.